Joseph nixon



@einen gisten gatmt @ffice Letters Patent No. 79,382, dated June 30, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT In vFrancine#roRei-:s AND rUnNAc-B Pon Botten-HEADS.

die Sagitta nient tu in ilgtse @effets @that mit uniting pnt .tt tige sans.

TO ALL WIIOM IT MAY. CONCERN;

Be it known that I, .IOSEPI N1XoN,of Altoona, in the county of Blair, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Flanging-Forge and Furnace for Flanging Steam- Boilers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thcreof,'referenco being had to .the-accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification', in whichg Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of mymp'roved Hanging-forge and furnace, and

"Figure 2 a vertical transverse section ot' the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable forge for flanging metallic sheets, whereby the heat of 'the fire can be directed either upon the whole surface of the sheet, or any desired part thereof, and which can Abe used `also for blacksmiths work; andv to this end `my improvement? consists inthe employment of a tubular hearth, filled with water, and having numerous openings for the passage of the blast, which can rbe closed by Suitable plugs or Stoppers, so as to distribute the same over the whole or any desired portions of the surface of the sheet to be flanged.

' In anging-forges, as' ordinarily constructed, straight lues are used, running through the central portion of the hearth, and perforated with holes for the escape ofthe blast. These tlues or pipes often burn out rapidly, and there can only be a long heat taken on a straight plate. I l

A round head or sheet is di'thcult to flange, when it ca'u be heated only upon a portion of its surfaceat one time, for the plate is apt to shrink where heated and 4become crooked, and has to be straightened by hammering, which operation frequently causes iron or steel plates to become crystallized or cracked, and unlit for use in .steam-boilers. Many sheets are wasted in attempting torstraighten them after they have been flanged, as the ordinary forges will not heat a sheet uniformly over its whole surface, and the operation has therefore to be performed cold, which requires skillful manipulation, and entails risk of losing the sheet.

By means of inyforge, I can flange a. sheet, and afterwards lheat it uniformly all over, and straighten it het without weakening the flange, by laying it upon a former and striking it with-a wooden maul.

In the accompanying drawings,.\vhic,hshow a convenient arrangement of parts for carrying out the objects of. my invention,.A represents the hearth, which is composed of metallic plates riveted Together, so as to form .a water-tight ease, and rests upon the flanges or supports. in the forge I3, which may be made of wrought or cast iron, or other suitable material. A number of air-tubes, a, of small diameter, pass through the hearth A, being distrihuted'over its surface at short distances apar-t. Aitube, b, of larger diameter than the tubes a a, is lplaced in the centre of the hearth, through which the blast passes when the forge is to be used for blacksmiths Work. The air-tubes, which are made of copper or other suitable metal, are screwed into the upper and lower sheets of the hearth, and riveted over on both ends. The hearth is lled with water by means otppes c c, attached to one of its'ends.. Thesepipes are to be provided with suitable stop-cocks, and communicate with a tank of water in convenient proximity -to the forge...` The air-tubes can be closed, when desired, by dropping into them metallic plugs a. A pipe, provided with n. stop-cock, is attached to the hearth, by means of which the water can be drawn o', when necessary. A bent sheet, C, is riveted across the Forge, beneath the hearth, forming an air-chamber, into which the blast i'sforced through the pipe B.

Any dust or coal which may collect in the chamber may be blown out by vremoving a-plug from the hole b', which is placed at the opposite end from the blast-pipe.

Cement or fire-clay is placedl around the edges of the hearth, to prevent the air from escaping from the chamber except through the air-tubes.

lVhen it is desired to heat the entire surface of a sheet, for the purpose of straightening it, the plugs a are removed from all the air-tubes, and a bed of coal being placed uponthe hearth, the blast acts upon the lire uniformly throughout. A straight or circular {ii-ne, or any other shape desired to suitably heat a plate, can be maintained by a proper distribution ofthe plugs in the ditferent air-tubes.

When it is desired to use the forge for Ablneksmiths work, the small tubes a are closed, and the plug withdrawn from the central tube b., Theadaptnbility of' this forge to the heating of sheets, upon the whole or any portion of' their surfaces; renders it of great practical value in the manufacture of steel boilers, which are now coming extensively into use, obviating risk of accident from'tlie giving way of defective flanges, and very much facilitating the work.

What I claim, and desire to secure by'Letters Patent, is-

The tubulnn andehambered hearth A, in combination with nir-chamber C, and water and nir-orifices, all constructed and arranged substantially in the manner und for the purpose set forth. i

In testimony that I claimthe foregoing as my own, I uilx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH NIKON.

Witnesses :4

RICHARD McHALn, AUSTIN MeHALE. 

